This year, something incredible is taking place in the technology lab of Yavneh Academy. It all began last year when the tech department opened a MakerSpace lab. A MakerSpace lab is a place where students can create, experiment, tinker and explore. While one of the goals of the MakerSpace is to enhance classroom learning, it very quickly became a popular recess destination for students, so much so, in fact, that the room was often filled to capacity with exuberant middle school students. Mrs. Lichtiger, Director of Educational Technology, and Mrs. Hirschhorn, Technology Integrator, were delighted by the energy these students displayed, but felt that they could use a focus. That’s when the idea light bulb went off.

Thanks to a generous donor, Yavneh Academy was the recipient of a Makerbot Mini 3D printer. Mrs. Lichtiger and Mrs. Hirschhorn asked the students if they were willing to teach themselves how to print in 3D. To use the printer, students first had to be taught CADD, Computer Aided Design and Drafting. There are many CADD programs and websites available, but after much research Mrs. Lichtiger and Mrs. Hirschhorn decided to use Tinkercad. They then challenged the students who chose to spend recess in the lab to use online tutorials to teach themselves how to use Tinkercad. Only then could they submit their 3D designs to the teachers, who would print them. It started with just a few students, but as word spread, the tech lab was inundated with students anxious to learn. They were soon printing creations such as tools, toys and action figures.

Mrs. Hirschhorn then had another idea. Many of the sixth graders were learning about the Beit HaMikdash in Judaic studies. How cool would it be to recreate different aspects of the Beit HaMikdash in 3D? The students had to research an item of the Beit HaMikdash, design it, and submit a “caption” that explained what the object was and what it was used for in the Beit HaMikdash. These students were coming to the tech lab during their free time to work on this project. Mrs. Lichtiger and Mrs. Hirschhorn expect most of the fixtures, kaylim and other aspects of the Beit Hamikdash to be completed and on display in the tech lab by Pesach.

Nothing is more moving to a teacher than to have students who are enthusiastic about learning. To have students give up their recess and free periods to devote to this project was extraordinary.